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All the tools you need for law school successFri, 16 Feb 2018 01:37:03 -0500en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cropped-site-icon-trans-3-32x32.pngLaw School Toolbox®https://lawschooltoolbox.com
3232Bar Passage Rates and School Accreditation: Why it is important to look at a School’s Success Ratehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/AFhs3HpAVnM/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bar-passage-rates-and-school-accreditation-why-it-is-important-to-look-at-a-schools-success-rate/#respondWed, 14 Feb 2018 14:00:25 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17381In your search for the law school of your dreams, you come across many statistics, numbers, and data regarding the individual universities. Several numbers are thrown at you, without much context behind them. One major statistic that is crucial when looking at law schools is the bar passage rate. This number represents how many of […]

]]>In your search for the law school of your dreams, you come across many statistics, numbers, and data regarding the individual universities. Several numbers are thrown at you, without much context behind them. One major statistic that is crucial when looking at law schools is the bar passage rate. This number represents how many of its students have successfully passed the bar exam. These numbers, mixed with school accreditation can be confusing for someone who hasn’t even thought about the bar yet. Together with recent news of schools losing accreditation and bar passage slipping, what does this mean for incoming and current law students?

What are Bar Passage Rates and School Accreditation?

When you look at a school’s overall rating and standing, you will typically come across bar passage rates and if they are accredited. Bar passage rates are a percentage of graduating students who have successfully passed the bar exam. This is normally broken down into two categories: first time test-takers and repeat takers. Although this percentage may seem irrelevant for an incoming law student or a 1L/2L looking to transfer, it is actually an important statistic to evaluate before you make your decision. This number represents how the university’s program prepared the individual students for the bar exam. Along with bar passage, accreditation is important as well. Accreditation is done by the American Bar Association or ABA. This is an organization of professionals in the legal community, namely attorneys and law students. In order to become accredited, a law school must pass certain standards to get a “stamp of approval” from the ABA.

Does it Matter if the School is Accredited?

In short: yes. The ABA is recognized by the Department of Education to promulgate standards for universities to meet in order to be accredited. Basically, if a university is approved by the ABA, you will be more likely to pass the bar. The ABA approves and monitors schools to ensure that law students are receiving an adequate education that will allow them to be successful on the bar and in practice. Accreditation is a stamp of approval by the ABA, showing that this particular school is worthy of your attendance. A legal education is costly. Thus, it is important to know if your future school is accredited, to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Further, many universities have recently had lowering bar passage rates and are at risk of losing their accreditation. This is because their programs may not be rigorous enough to create a quality legal education. The bar exam is the most important exam you will take as it determines if you can become an attorney. Thus, if you attend (or are thinking about attending) a school at risk of losing its accreditation or has uncommonly low bar passage rates, you may want to re-think your decision or get extra assistance/preparation to pass the bar.

Conclusion: Check before you go

The decision to go to law school is a difficult one. The process is stressful, the program is difficult, and then you have to take a bar exam just to be able to practice. Recently, there has been an ongoing pattern of low pass rates, schools losing their accreditation, and graduates not able to find full-time employment in the legal field. This is a very stressful situation for incoming and current law students. Therefore, it is incredibly important and you are aware of what a law school’s qualifications are. Just as you are evaluated by the law school, you should also evaluate the law school. Although statistics are not everything, by keeping yourself informed, you will be better prepared for situations that arise.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bar-passage-rates-and-school-accreditation-why-it-is-important-to-look-at-a-schools-success-rate/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bar-passage-rates-and-school-accreditation-why-it-is-important-to-look-at-a-schools-success-rate/Podcast Episode 133: Being Strategic About Your Legal Career (w/ Liz Stone)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/M1rHJmK1OiM/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-133-being-strategic-about-your-legal-career-w-liz-stone/#respondTue, 13 Feb 2018 14:00:15 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17584Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we’re talking with legal recruiter Liz Stone, of Stone Legal Search, about ways to proactively manage your career from law school onwards. A former litigator, Liz works primarily with attorneys in the middle of their careers looking to make a switch. She brings to the podcast her […]

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we’re talking with legal recruiter Liz Stone, of Stone Legal Search, about ways to proactively manage your career from law school onwards. A former litigator, Liz works primarily with attorneys in the middle of their careers looking to make a switch. She brings to the podcast her insights on decisions to make early on to help ensure job satisfaction and how to best position yourself for a mid-career move.

In this episode we discuss:

Competitiveness in the mid-level recruiting market

Going in-house: Is it really that easy?

Steps to take to position yourself for a mid-career move

Suggestions for law students who want to set themselves up for success and happiness

Resources to help you figure out what you want in your career

Common pitfalls that lead to workplace problems or career dissatisfaction for lawyers

Why lawyers are typically bad at business development, and what they can do to improve

And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’ve got burning law school questions, let us know. We’re always looking for great content ideas, so maybe we’ll answer your question in a future episode.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-133-being-strategic-about-your-legal-career-w-liz-stone/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-133-being-strategic-about-your-legal-career-w-liz-stone/Scrivener: The Ultimate Legal Writing Toolhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/hjVcNkTmYpM/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/scrivener-the-ultimate-legal-writing-tool/#respondMon, 12 Feb 2018 14:00:23 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=15040If you haven’t started already, you should be expecting to begin writing fifteen plus page legal papers for some of your law school classes. Yep. You read that correctly. All those dense and confusing chapters in your books? You will have to start to master the art of legal writing, just like those chapters you […]

]]>If you haven’t started already, you should be expecting to begin writing fifteen plus page legal papers for some of your law school classes. Yep. You read that correctly. All those dense and confusing chapters in your books? You will have to start to master the art of legal writing, just like those chapters you spend hours reading. It is like having to learn a new language that you have never seen before, and then getting graded on how well you can speak it.

While legal writing may seem daunting at first, you will soon realize that all it takes is organization. In this post, we discuss a program that can help you with that organization and make legal writing a breeze. That program is Scrivener.

Scrivener

Scrivener is a powerful word processing and organizational tool for your computer that can help your writing process during and after law school. Currently, Scrivener is popular with attorneys since it can help them prepare complex case documents that require several references. Further, attorneys use Scrivener as an accompaniment to their legal research, since the organizational features can help them deconstruct a document. “So it is just an alternative to Microsoft Word?” No. Not at all, so don’t delete Word off of your computer just yet. Although Scrivener does cost money, we highly recommend you look into downloading it. Read on to find out why!

Here are just a few things Scrivener can help you do:

Organize Your Ideas

As you may well know by now, legal studies require the ordering of complex ideas. When trying to write on these complex ideas, you may find yourself highlighting and deleting, copying and pasting, and writing long run on paragraphs while trying to organize your thoughts. Scrivener saves you from all of this by allowing you to organize ideas into groupable digital notecards, cork boards, and outlines. This makes it easier to write out your ideas and visually order them before Scrivener puts them all together for you. Being able to see your ideas separately before they are all combined into a long paragraph is very helpful, especially in legal writing.

Microsoft word and other applications offer templates, but Scrivener’s highly customizable templates are another opportunity for you to organize your documents. Create and save templates for appellate and court briefs, complete with sections for Statement of Facts, Procedural History Issues, Argument, etc…

Minimize Your Tabs

Scrivener allows you to have multiple panes of pdfs, images, or text notes open within the app itself, so no more switching between your browser, a pdf, and Microsoft Word. For law students, this means you can have your notes on the case law open in one window, your research from a legal journal in another, and your main document, all on one screen.

Easily Edit Your Paper

Even once you have started to write, Scrivener’s capabilities are not done. Scrivener makes it easy to edit your text with confidence by moving sections of texts with simple drags and drops. By breaking up your text into sections, Scrivener allows you to get perspective on how the different parts of your work make up the whole. When writing a legal essay in a traditional word processing program, it is easy to get lost in the text and lose sight of where your facts are located relative to your arguments. Scrivener solves this problem by letting you make sections of text that can be easily rearranged until you find the right order.

That is a basic overview of how Scrivener can help you with your legal writing. Try it for yourself using their free trial! When it comes to legal writing, don’t forget to connect the dots between your exams and your essays. For example, IRAC (issue, rule, analysis, conclusion) is not only a go to strategy for answering questions on an exam, but also a way of thinking about paper organization. The general rule in legal analysis is to identify a rule and apply it to facts. Scrivener can help you with this organization.

Finally, do not neglect the importance of research in your legal writing. You will want to have cases and case law open when you are writing your essays. Examples are important in making any argument! Scrivener is a great tool for legal research given its multi-window functionality.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/scrivener-the-ultimate-legal-writing-tool/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/scrivener-the-ultimate-legal-writing-tool/6 Factors for Choosing the Right Law Schoolhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/deoBulxT6Xc/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/factors-for-choosing-the-right-law-school/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 14:00:37 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=16761Once you’ve made the exciting decision to attend law school, you’re faced with another dilemma: where should I apply? You may be tempted to apply to certain schools based solely on their ranking, but there’s more to having a successful law school experience than being admitted to a highly ranked school. While prestige and reputation […]

]]>Once you’ve made the exciting decision to attend law school, you’re faced with another dilemma: where should I apply? You may be tempted to apply to certain schools based solely on their ranking, but there’s more to having a successful law school experience than being admitted to a highly ranked school. While prestige and reputation are certainly an important factor when deciding where to apply, they’re not the only thing you should take into account. To increase the likelihood that you’ll have a successful (and enjoyable) law school experience, there are 6 factors you should consider when choosing a law school.

1. Schedule

While most students elect to attend law school with a traditional day-time class schedule, this isn’t the best option for everyone. Many law schools offer a variety of class schedules to accommodate students, from full-time evening programs to part-time day programs and everything in between. If you have demanding family commitments or can’t imagine foregoing a regular paycheck during law school, it’s worth considering whether evening classes or a part-time course load will be a better fit for you. Your options are wide open if you’re committed to attending law school on a full-time basis, but if you’re considering a part-time or evening program, you may have to be more selective. Additionally, if you’re interested in a joint degree program, like a J.D./M.B.A., that’s something you’ll need to take into account.

2. Size

Larger schools generally offer more variety in terms of course selection and extracurricular activities, but it can also be more difficult to make your mark at a large school. Remember, sometimes it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond, so consider whether attending a smaller school may give you more chances to stand out. Alternatively, a larger law school may expose you to a more diverse set of experiences and opportunities. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, it’s all a matter of choosing what will work best for you.

3. Location

Location will likely play a major role in selecting a law school. Sometimes location may even play the only role – I know plenty of people, myself included, who chose a school solely because they wanted to live in the city where it was located. Of course, from a pragmatic perspective, the allure of living in a particular location isn’t the only thing you should consider. Will the cost of living require you to take out larger loans? Will you be able to handle the rigors of 1L year while also adjusting to a new city and/or being on your own for the first time? Does it make more sense to attend a school in the state where you plan to practice? A partner’s career, child’s school, or other outside factor may be the deciding factor in where you attend. But if you have the option of relocating, make sure to take into account how a law school’s location can influence your overall experience.

4. Cost

Perform an honest evaluation of your financial situation and calculate the debt you’ll need to take on during 3+ years of law school. No law school is cheap, but some are less expensive than others, and cost is an important factor in selecting the right school for you. For some people, taking out large loans to attend an expensive (but prominent) school is the right decision. For others, going to a less expensive state university or taking that scholarship to a less prestigious program may make more sense. It can be a difficult calculation, but it’s certainly something that deserves serious thought.

5. Academic and Professional Interests

If there’s a niche area of law that you know you want to study, it makes sense to attend a school that specializes in that area or at least offers a variety of opportunities for you. Similarly, your career ambitions may play an important role in selecting a law school. If you hope to work in a particular field that is more prominent in certain locations – think Silicon Valley if you want to work with startups or D.C. if you want to go into politics – then attending a law school in that area can help you start making connections and gaining valuable experience early on.

6. Extracurricular

Law school is a lot of work, but there’s still going to be some time to play, so make sure you apply to schools that offer extracurricular options that appeal to you. Whether it’s moot court, law review, mock trial, a student org, or even just an intramural sports team, it’s important to find something outside the classroom that you enjoy and that connects you to the law school community. While it probably shouldn’t be a major factor in your decision, the quality and variety of extracurricular activities offered at a law school is still something to take into account.

Choosing a law school can be a difficult, but exciting, decision. In making your choice, look beyond rankings or prestige and consider what school will give you the best overall experience. Ultimately, you want to select a school where you will be able to achieve academic success, obtain job opportunities, and have a little fun along the way.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/factors-for-choosing-the-right-law-school/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/factors-for-choosing-the-right-law-school/Podcast Episode 132: What’s BigLaw Really Like? (w/ Sadie Jones)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/i2gtK_kMD1s/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/#respondTue, 06 Feb 2018 14:00:14 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17530Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we’re talking about what it’s actually like to work in BigLaw, with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones. It’s generally accepted that in BigLaw, you’re expected to bill a ton of hours and work long nights in exchange for a hefty paycheck, but is that all there is to […]

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we’re talking about what it’s actually like to work in BigLaw, with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones. It’s generally accepted that in BigLaw, you’re expected to bill a ton of hours and work long nights in exchange for a hefty paycheck, but is that all there is to it? Learn more of the nuanced ins-and-outs of life working in a large law firm.

And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’ve got burning law school questions, let us know. We’re always looking for great content ideas, so maybe we’ll answer your question in a future episode.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/Understanding the GRE Phenomenon in Law School Admissionshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/YPdEDLiv3PM/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/understanding-the-gre-phenomenon-in-law-school-admissions/#respondMon, 05 Feb 2018 14:00:51 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17324Planning to apply to law school? Traditionally, the first unavoidable reality of the law school application process was preparing for and taking the LSAT. But change seems to be afoot. A growing number of law schools are now accepting the GRE, an exam most commonly associated with applying for MBA programs. From ultra exclusive law […]

]]>Planning to apply to law school? Traditionally, the first unavoidable reality of the law school application process was preparing for and taking the LSAT. But change seems to be afoot. A growing number of law schools are now accepting the GRE, an exam most commonly associated with applying for MBA programs. From ultra exclusive law schools like Harvard Law to less established schools like Texas A&M University School of Law, admissions policies are beginning to allow prospective students to choose the exam of their choice. If you are considering your options, take the time to make an informed decision. Hopefully we will provide you with some understanding of the GRE phenomenon in law school admissions.

GRE

The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit measurement research organization. In a recent press release, ETS boasts that a forthcoming national validity study will show that a GRE score does translate to law school success. Whether the spread of GRE acceptance will continue is unknown, but at least a handful of law schools have been interested in offering applicants an alternative to the LSAT. Here are some GRE basics –

LSAT

The LSAT is administered by the aptly named Law School Admission Council (LSAC). For the LSAC’s response to GRE questions, see their LSAT or GRE: Your Questions Answered webpage. Regardless of the upstart, the LSAT is still the standard for law school admissions. If you haven’t narrowed your law school options to GRE schools, the LSAT may be the right option for you. Here is the basic rundown of the LSAT –

Five 35-minute sections of multiple choice questions (of which only four are scored). The sections include one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, two logic reasoning sections, and one unscored section.

One unscored, 35-minute writing sample.

Effects of the GRE’s Presence

As GRE acceptance continues to grow, people are beginning to ask what the rise of the GRE means for the LSAT, for the law schools, and for applicants. The jury generally seems to still be out on most of these questions, but here are some thoughts.

If you listen to LSAT expert Nathan Fox, the GRE’s challenge to the LSAT’s supremacy could potentially push the LSAT to modernize—e.g., moving to a computer-based exam or speeding up results delivery. Listen to a full discussion of the topic by Nathan Fox and Alison Monahan on Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 97: The Future of the LSAT. Transitioning from the only test to one among equals will clearly be a challenge for the LSAT. Stay tuned to see if the LSAT makes changes to compete for applicants.

From the perspective of law schools, the number of applicants for law school continues to be a serious concern across the law school spectrum. Anything that could serve to lower the barriers for an applicant considering law school would be considered positive by most Deans—assuming studies show that GRE scores do rival LSAT scores as a predictor of law school success and bar passage. Some argue it could open the doors of law schools to more STEM-focused undergrad students, which could affect the composition of law school classes.

If you are an applicant, consider the differences between the two tests and consider where you are applying. If the GRE is an option for you, the most commonly cited differences are that you can take the GRE on a computer and that the GRE contains a math component. Before you let the math idea scare you off, try your hand at both – the New York Time’s Jane Karr offers a question comparison in her piece — On Trial: GRE v. LSAT.

There are still many unknowns, but at least for now, it appears the GRE may be an enduring law school admission option. As time marches on, keep abreast of potential changes to the LSAT and keep an eye out for more law schools joining the list of those accepting the GRE.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/understanding-the-gre-phenomenon-in-law-school-admissions/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/understanding-the-gre-phenomenon-in-law-school-admissions/Can an Aptitude Test Help You Find Your Dream Job?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/MYTOcwMA64o/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/can-an-aptitude-test-help-you-find-your-dream-job/#respondWed, 31 Jan 2018 14:00:04 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17213Think about what it really takes to be a lawyer. First, you spend months prepping for the LSAT, refining your personal statement, and submitting applications, just to get into law school. Once you’re accepted, you devote three years of your life, a substantial amount of money, and a lot of effort to graduate. Then there’s […]

]]>Think about what it really takes to be a lawyer. First, you spend months prepping for the LSAT, refining your personal statement, and submitting applications, just to get into law school. Once you’re accepted, you devote three years of your life, a substantial amount of money, and a lot of effort to graduate. Then there’s the constant studying and stress of passing the bar exam. Once you’re finally a real lawyer, you discover that the hard work isn’t over, as you labor for your clients, bill hours, and battle with opposing counsel. Think about the time, money, and personal sacrifice you must make to become a lawyer. Now think about what it would feel like to have made those sacrifices and achieved your goal, only to wonder whether it was the right decision. No one wants their career to be frustrating or unfulfilling, particularly after one has devoted so much to enter that career. Fortunately, there may be a way to avoid this dilemma. To help you find a profession that is fulfilling and best suits your abilities, consider taking an aptitude test.

What Is an Aptitude Test?

An aptitude test is not a personality test or an IQ test. It does not measure intelligence or merely provide insight into your traits or interests. Instead, an aptitude test helps you identify your natural abilities. Everyone has innate skills that they are particularly proficient at or talents that seem to come more naturally than others. A particular talent for music is the most obvious example of a natural ability, but there are other abilities and skills that may not be as easy to recognize. An aptitude test can help you identify your natural abilities and give you the power to make more informed choices about your future goals. Knowledge of your natural abilities provides insight into the hobbies and professions that will be most satisfying to you in the long run. The idea is that every job requires a different set of skills, and you’re more likely to be fulfilled (and successful) if you pursue a job that works with, not against, your natural abilities.

Who Should Consider Taking an Aptitude Test?

Individuals at all stages of life may benefit from taking an aptitude test. If you’re considering applying to law school, an aptitude test may be able to help you decide whether a legal career will complement your natural abilities and could save you from going down a path that may ultimately be unfulfilling. Similarly, if you’re nearing the end of law school and aren’t sure you whether you want to be a traditional lawyer, an aptitude test may help you identify a unique practice area or alternative way to use your J.D. If you’re already practicing but feeling unfulfilled or uncertain about whether you want to spend the next several decades in your current career, it’s not too late to take an aptitude test. Knowledge of your unique abilities may help you guide your career in a more satisfying direction, or even make a complete career change.

Aptitude Test Providers

A quick google search will show you that there are many different companies offering aptitude tests. However, to really get the benefits of this testing, you need to make sure you’re using a reputable provider. The Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation is a reputable organization that provides aptitude testing in several cities. The testing itself is a comprehensive process that typically involves two three and half hour sessions. The fee is not insignificant – just over $700 – so you need to do your own cost/benefit assessment before making an appointment. Once the testing is complete, you are given explanatory information about your test results and can even schedule a follow up conference.

What to Do With Your Results

If you choose to complete an aptitude test, make sure you give yourself time to process the results. Don’t make any rash decisions. Talk through the results and how it might impact your choices with someone you trust. Additionally, be sure to keep an open mind when reviewing your results – you may be surprised by what you learn! If you take an aptitude test and decide that you still want to pursue law school or a legal career, consider how your new found insight can help you find the most fulfillment in your profession.

For most people, their job is a defining aspect of their life. You don’t want that job to entail constant frustration, stress, or dissatisfaction. A career that makes the most of your natural abilities may bring you increased fulfillment and happiness in your life, and aptitude testing may be one piece that can help you find that career. It takes courage to make a dramatic change of course in your life, but if it leads to more personal satisfaction, it will be worth it.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/can-an-aptitude-test-help-you-find-your-dream-job/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/can-an-aptitude-test-help-you-find-your-dream-job/Podcast Episode 131: Thinking Ahead About the Futurehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/S2npH1uicYo/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-131-thinking-ahead-about-the-future/#respondTue, 30 Jan 2018 14:00:42 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17507Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we’re talking about thinking about the future and long-term goal setting in law school. Many people in their 30s and 40s look at their lives and wonder how they got there. Though it might seem far off when you’re in your 20s, it’s never too early to […]

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we’re talking about thinking about the future and long-term goal setting in law school. Many people in their 30s and 40s look at their lives and wonder how they got there. Though it might seem far off when you’re in your 20s, it’s never too early to start thinking about what you might want your life to look like in the future, and to make the personal and career choices most likely to make that future a reality, or at least a possibility.

In this episode we discuss:

Determining the kind of work environment you want

What’s important to have time for in your personal life

Factors to consider if you have or want to have a family

How your debt load can control your options and how to avoid the golden handcuffs

Learning from your past employment to make better choices for the future

The importance of educating yourself on these matters so you make informed choices

And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’ve got burning law school questions, let us know. We’re always looking for great content ideas, so maybe we’ll answer your question in a future episode.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-131-thinking-ahead-about-the-future/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-131-thinking-ahead-about-the-future/How Can You Become An Entertainment Lawyer?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/-ojng-U4Z1E/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-can-you-become-an-entertainment-lawyer/#respondMon, 29 Jan 2018 14:00:13 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=15386One of the most enviable fields in the legal world, entertainment law, sparks almost as much attention among law students as the celebrities who comprise the client base. Reputably a near-impossible industry to enter, it may be wise to take a few steps to test-drive the industry before you sign up for that entertainment concentration. […]

]]>One of the most enviable fields in the legal world, entertainment law, sparks almost as much attention among law students as the celebrities who comprise the client base. Reputably a near-impossible industry to enter, it may be wise to take a few steps to test-drive the industry before you sign up for that entertainment concentration. Like Hollywood, entertainment law is not always what it seems.

Be In The Know, But Don’t Be A Fan

Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer, Nicholas La Terza who teaches entertainment law at UCLA, UC Irvine and the University of Miami tells his students to be in the know about the industry. For example, if you want to work with film producers, he says you must be able to name your five favorite producers.

If you have an interest in becoming an entertainment lawyer, chances are you can already list the Oscar winners for the past decade, but keeping abreast of industry trends also involves knowledge of a technical language. If you work as in-house counsel, for example, your client is your record company who will speak in industry terminology that goes beyond the legal lexicon.

Professors warn against having an idolatry admiration for the stars, as being too much of a fan can get in the way of the cold decisions entertainment lawyers must make.

Books

While we tend to avoid reading more books then assigned, an industry guide is a refreshing and inspiring break from casebooks. Wandering through the entertainment section of your law library may reveal little jewels that breathe an inspiring perspective on career paths in ways you may not have considered. Legal books that give law student advice is such as Entertainment Careers for Lawyers is useful, as is a quick browse at non-legal books that give an overview of what it’s like to enter the industry.

Networking

Networking can entail more than just going to legal events. For example, there may be music conferences or film festival workshops where you can meet executives and learn from non-lawyers. Your own school’s music and communication school bulletin board is one place to start for local events. Once there, it may be as simple as asking for help.

Networking nowadays also takes place online, such as participating in webinars and forums. The ABA Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries has a law student caucus that invites students to write articles or edit for the caucus newsletter or volunteer on the committee.

Some organizations may seem only tangentially related but the members are also entertainment lawyers, making events a valuable relationship-building opportunity, such as the Copyright Society of the USA, which offers student membership for $25.

Conference Materials

As law students, we may not always have the money or the time to go to conferences in person, but thankfully materials from conferences are often posted online after the conference or available with an email request to the organization. The ABA posts materials from conferences to their website which are available to view and download with a free student account. While some of the PowerPoint presentations and white papers can veer towards the overly technical, even just reading the headlines gives an overview of what challenges the industry currently faces. These tidbits could lead to interesting discussions for that internship interview.

Internships

Many ex-entertainment attorneys say they were originally drawn by the flash of the industry but the initial excitement quickly subsided upon realizing it entails reading contracts and drafting memos much like any other law job.

Securing an internship early can help you realize whether you like the field to begin with, as well as provide further networking opportunities.

Because location is important for this industry, as most job opportunities are concentrated in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Nashville, an internship is also a way to try out the waters in a new city, before deciding to permanently relocate.

Independent Research

Writing for the Law Review on a subject related to the field of interest is another way to show prospective lawyers your interest. A friend who wrote on a Netflix case for his Business Law Review then landed an internship with NBC.

If Law Review sounds appealing, you may wish to read what you need to know about getting onto Law Review. But you could also volunteer to be a research assistant for a copyright, media or entertainment law professor, or work on an independent research paper that tackles a topic of interest.

Broad Curriculum

As a back-up plan, in case the field is not what you expect, it always helps to have a broad array of courses taken. Also, practitioners recommend a strong foundation in related areas such as tax law, immigration, intellectual property, and contracts. Some schools offer courses specifically geared towards these areas for entertainers, but the general, introductory course may be just as, if not more, useful as they give a deeper understanding of the material in a broader context.

If you have already tried a few entertainment law related class, and feel this is your calling, then consider enrolling in a dual degree program if your law school offers a joint program with its business school, music school or communication school.

While an MBA, for example, can be especially useful for in-house counseling, doing the other steps first helps confirm your passion for entertainment law, as there are also a few downsides to consider when determining whether to pursue an MBA.

]]>https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-can-you-become-an-entertainment-lawyer/feed/0https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-can-you-become-an-entertainment-lawyer/Bluebook Oddities: 10 Unlikely Citationshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawSchoolToolbox/~3/RO9d5kOE7jU/
https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bluebook-oddities-10-unlikely-citations/#respondFri, 26 Jan 2018 14:00:00 +0000https://lawschooltoolbox.com/?p=17183Love it or hate it, The Bluebook is an unavoidable fixture of the law school experience. For some, The Bluebook becomes a fond, ever-present companion; for some, it remains a constant nemesis. As you become more familiar with The Bluebook, finding the answers you need becomes easier and easier. But no matter how fluent you […]

]]>Love it or hate it, The Bluebook is an unavoidable fixture of the law school experience. For some, The Bluebook becomes a fond, ever-present companion; for some, it remains a constant nemesis. As you become more familiar with The Bluebook, finding the answers you need becomes easier and easier. But no matter how fluent you become in The Bluebook, it seems to always be full of surprises. Here is a list of some of my favorite citations you never knew you could find in the deep recesses of your Bluebook:

1. Code of Theodosius (T2.34 – Roman Law)

Need to cite the Theodosian Code? The Bluebook provides the form in Table 2.34. The Code of Theodosius was a “compilation of imperial enactments prepared at the direction of the emperor Theodosius II and published in A.D. 438.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1616 (9th ed. 2009). It was later replaced by the first Justinian Code in A.D. 529. Id.

2. Twitter (R18.2.2(b)(v) – Titles for Social Media Posts)

The 20th edition of The Bluebook added the all important subsection focusing on titles for social media posts at Rule 18.2.2(b)(v). If you need to cite to Twitter, you are covered. However, the legacy cites are still available—see the citation for CD-ROMs at Rule 18.4(b). If you prefer your information delivered on Microfrom, turn to Rule 18.5.

3. Northern Rhodesia Law Reports (T2.43 – Zambia, Republic of)

Trying to cite a case from the Supreme Court of Zambia between 1911 and 1958? The Bluebook has you covered. The reporter of choice is the Northern Rhodesia Law Reports, abbreviated NRLR. The currently used Zambia Law Reports only picks up in 1964. The Supreme Court of Zambia is the “highest court of the country with appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters.” T2.43. All of this great information is located in Table 2.43.

4. Shakespeare (R15.8(c)(iv))

To cite or not to cite? Some works are so distinctive that they have their own unique citation. Shakespeare is the only author that is bestowed the honor of a unique citation format by The Bluebook at Rule 15.8(c)(iv). Along with the works of the Bard, this exclusive list of special citations includes such works as the Federalist Papers, the Bible, and Black’s Law Dictionary.

5. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (T3.8)

It is not the Pirate’s Code, but it is close. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea “lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources,” including dispute resolution through the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. For citing tribunal decisions, use the International Law of the Sea Reports of Judgments, Advisory Opinions and Orders, ITLOS Rep., found at T3.8.

6. Colloquia (R16.7.3 – Symposia, Colloquia, and Surveys)

Merriam-Webster defines colloquium as “a usually academic meeting at which specialists deliver addresses on a topic or on related topics and then answer questions relating to them.” Need to cite one? Symposia, colloquia, and surveys can be cited according to Rule 16.7.3.

How do you cite to Agriculture Decisions – the “official publication by the Secretary of Agriculture that consists of decisions and orders issued in adjudicatory proceedings conducted for the Department under various statutes and regulations”? Look to Table 1.2.

Along with the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico among other non-state jurisdictions, Table 1.4 provides the proper form to cite the Navajo Nation’s Code.

9. Globe (R13.5 – Legislative Materials, Debates)

If you think the debates of yester year were more honorable and constructive than in today’s congress, you may need to support your position by citing to the congressional debates between 1837 and 1873 in the Congressional Globe. For a host of more modern legislative materials, see Rule 13.

10. The Bluebook (R15.8(c)(v))

The Bluebook would not be complete without a citation format for The Bluebook itself. With Rule 15.8(v) you can cite to any of The Bluebook’s 20 versions. If you need an in-depth study of The Bluebook’s past, may I recommend Fred R. Shapiro & Julie Graves Krishnaswami, Article, The Secret History of the Bluebook, 100 Minn. L. Rev. 1563 (2016). If you find yourself north of the border, The Bluebook provides a citation to the McGill Law Journal, Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (6th ed. 2006) at Table 2.6.

These citations’ formats may not be your most frequently used, but the better you get to know your Bluebook the more second nature applying the proper legal citation conventions will become. (For more useful legal writing tips, see Law School Toolbox’s collection of Legal Research & Writing resources.) Mastering The Bluebook can be a frustrating endeavor, but every now and then, spend some time exploring your Bluebook and discovering your favorite Bluebook oddity!